McGraw-Hill dominates

When the Florida Department of Education adopted its new elementary reading standards, it gave school districts their choice of new reading textbooks.

It turns out that one option proved most popular.

McGraw-Hill Education announced that it has snared 70 percent of the market with its Treasures and Imagine It! series.

We've heard a lot of teachers say the books offer research-based lessons and help them better organize their reading plans. But we've also heard word that getting up to speed with the new books is driving teachers nuts.

Any thoughts on the new reading series, folks?

Comments

[Florida Teacher]

The training that went along with the program has been non-existent. I would not select McGraw-Hill again if they gave us all money under the table, as I'm assuming was the case in most Districts There's NO WAY poeple would buy this series oherwise. IT IS HORRIBLE!!!

[pasco teacher]

There are too many concepts being taught at one time and the center flip charts are not usable for Kindergarteners. I like parts of it and it has helped me focus my teaching more but my experience in the classroom is why my kids will succeed not because of the reading series we are being forced to use.
The assessment piece is ridiculous!!! Too much paper- too much time- teacher observation is the best assessment.(if the teacher knows what to observe for.)

Is therer a Bush McGraw Hill connection?

[Bernie]

Sure helped McGraw-Hill's bottom line.

[Florida Teacher]

Last year, I had the opportunity to work in a struggling school. The school adopted the Imagine It series and for all the students and it was a failure.

My fifth grade students were above grade level readers. They were frustrated with the scripted day-to-day of the series (they knew how to read and comprehend) and not having the ability to go beyond the Basal (administrative decision.)

I believe the series has value for students who struggle with reading. Unfortunately, districts and schools purchase these series as the end all for all students -- and that is not the case.

We really liked the new adoption because of the focus on skills rather than JUST story comprehension. I find it overwhelming, I am spending more time at work and working at home than ever(and I always have put in extra hours). I think once we get used to it and sort down to a main focus it will be worth it. I LOVE the length of focus. Right now third grade is working on Main Idea for the 4th or 5th week, and it continues into the first lesson of the next unit. That is a tough concept for our kiddos - I love the time I get to really help them grasp the concept.

I do not like the number of concepts per week - it can be pretty overwhelming. I have to make decisions about what to spend the time on and what to gleen and go back to. The one thing the publishers still do not understand is kids need depth. A mile wide and an inch deep is not quality education. (But then, that is what we are trying to fix in our standards!)

[fla teacher]

It has its pros and cons. Overall, I don't like it. There are too many materials given with the kit -- I got 8 boxes of stuff. Only a small portion of it is useful. The most overwhelming change is the complete waste of paper. I used to give a 2-page, back-to-back, 20-problem reading test. Now I give a 6-page, back-to-back, 16-problem reading test. But somehow it's better because it is "FCAT format."

As for the research-based instruction, that really doesn't mean much. Anything can be researched based if you find the right research. I just teach the way I always have and plug the book's materials in where they fit. I figure somebody got some large kickbacks since no one at my school voted for the series. In fact, it was the one everyone thought was least appropriate.

[kelly]

It is VERY overwhelming !!! All the material that is with this new series! But once we sift through it, I think I'll like it... It's change!